It’s about time that I come clean to all of you. While you stop by and see what I eat, maybe take away a recipe or two, see how many points I’ve eaten in a day if you are following Weight Watchers.
What you don’t know is that I am a bed time snacker. Not every night, but I always go to bed before Tony. I may watch t.v. for 10 or 15 minutes before going to bed, and sometimes I reach down to my stash of salty snacks from my bed side table.
I went to bed Friday night, and decided that some pretzels were a good idea. Tony unexpectedly came to bed shortly after me and was like “why are you eating pretzels the night before your weigh in?”
I can’t explain it, but I know I need to stop. It’s pointless, I am 9 times out of 10 not even hungry. But I felt I had to come clean to you guys – you are always so supportive when I have a crappy weigh in and while everyone is like “it’s probably muscle” or “it’s just hormones or water weight” I know that it’s been the night time snacking.
So my goals for this week:
- no wine
- 45 to 60 minutes of exercise
- drink 80 ounces of water
- no night time snacking
Whew, glad I got that off my chest! Thanks for listening and being supportive too – you guys rock!
Short post today, I have to get to the office early and I need to put my food together for the day – off to make sweet potato pancakes . . . come back tomorrow for the recipe. Hugs!
I’m late chiming in, but wanted to say I’m proud of you for saying that you have an issue with night time snacking, and are going to stop it! That is a huge step and shows that you really care not only about your health (clearly #1) but also about your relationship with your readers, and that is why we all come back to check in each day. This week is a new week, and when you set your mind to something, we all know you can do it and are behind you 100%!
Totally understand. It’s just so hard to stop!! At least you know this is your vice, and if you can just focus on stopping then you will definitely have good weighins š
I understand completely, Biz. My tough time is afternoon snacking. I’m coming to realize that it’s more of a “transitional” eating thing. The kids come home from school and it’s kind of our way of signaling the change in the day, if that makes sense. And now, it’s become a habit for me! I swear they come in the door and a bell rings in my head like one of Pavlov’s dogs signaling me to eat! We just need to find a new pattern. You can do it š
I’ll confess too. I have a horrible habit of snacking on graham “crack”ers all night at work. I work nights at the hospital and we have an abundance of those little 2 pack packages of graham crackers which is equal to one whole graham cracker. Well I easily eat about 5 packages a night and probably more on some nights. Oh how I love to dip the little crack squares in my coffee!
I am pledging to give up the graham crackers for the rest of the week. I will let you know how it goes.
I always feel better after “coming clean” on my blog, too š I love your honesty, Biz! Nighttime was never a problem time for me until recently. No idea what has changed (I’ll think about that)….but I know I need to change it! Here we go – cheers!
LOL! I can just see you in bed snacking on pretzels and in walks Tony! I think it is one of those things that has just become a habit and a part of your bedtime routine. I say skip having food in your bedroom. If you “need” that night time snack have it earlier in the evening, measured and accounted for. Once I brush and floss my teeth for the evening I won’t eat again because I don’t want to brush and floss again. It works for me.
Biz….obviously the night time snacking is fulfilling some need…so may I suggest rather than punishing yourself by cutting yourself off cold turkey from the ritual…first off…remove those snacks from your bedside! Put them in the kitchen. š and next…try to save a few extra points from the day to actually HAVE a bedtime snack…keep it controlled and within limits…but still have it! That’s my suggestion, anyway. this is what I have found works for me…otherwise…I just feel miserable and deprived. The snacking that we don’t account for on our trackers…ya…totally been there done that. š
good for you for coming clean! you are on the road to recovery for sure now š
I know Biz. I do the same thing..I can be “good” all day but then a certain time hits and its like a void that cannot be filled. I want to eat EVERYTHING and drink that forbidden beer. Its awful
Mystery solved! I was starting to wonder if the WW scale was broken or if you were dressing up in full denim outfits on weigh in days! š
It’s all about priorities and budgeting. If you really really want the wine, measure it and count it into your day. If you really really want the salty snacks at night, measure it and count it into your day. Maybe eventually, you’d rather have less wine/snacks instead of the extra points, but don’t try to swear off of things that you love because it won’t be a sustainable lifestyle for you. For me, I manage to fit in chocolate mousse and coffee ice cream most days and they’re worth every calorie! š
Lots of hugs!
I’ve got sweet potatoes in my cupboard now….let’s see that recipe!
It’s habit Biz. You know that. Habits are hard to climb out of too, but you can do it!
I read this first thing this morning but waited to comment because I wanted to think about it. What I kept thinking is what would I want/do if I got caught? Based on that and the goals that you wrote for this week here’s my suggestions. 1. Since Tony is the one who caught you, get Tony to help you. If you haven’t already removed the chips, ask him to take them out of the bedroom and put them away before you even get home. If they’re not there I think you’ll be less tempted. Also, tell him you do not want to drink wine this week and ask him to cooperate with that. I’ve often said I’m not drinking at all only to come home and find a glass of wine poured for me. The gesture is meant lovingly and so then I am faced with that dilemma. I started just saying, “I’m not going to drink again unti….” and that has been working out well. Good luck Biz, I know you can do this if you set your mind to it!
I NEVER used to be a nighttime snacker, but that’s definitely gotten the best of me lately. I think a combination of the late night feedings and Evan’s collection of buffalo pretzel niblets are to blame.
Good for you for ‘fessing up. Can’t wait to see what this week’s WI will bring you with this self awareness!
Oh, Biz, you’re not the only one. Snacking is a hard habit to break (and my #1 habit)!! At least you’re aware of it – sometimes that’s the hardest thing to do. I’m convinced you’re going to ROCK this week!
I struggle with late night snacking too! For the most part, I try to limit snack type food since I know I struggle with them. Lately, the peanut butter jar and me have been having a late night rendezvous. Needs to stop. š
Firstly, do NOT keep food in your bedroom. I know that for me, if it’s there, I am going to eat it. If it’s not there, you can’t eat it, period. Also, brush your teeth and use Listerine before you hop into bed – you will be surprised at how the strong mint flavor reduces your appetite (especially knowing that nothing tastes good after you gargle with Listerine!) Hope this helps – it helps me. š
Bed time snacking is a tough one for me too!! Keep plugging along – you’ll get where you want to be!! One trick I used is to brush my teeth (like the others have mentioned). Things usually taste gross after that!
Those unaccounted-for foods really do add up, dang it. I bet if you just eliminated pretzels (well, all chips) and wine for an entire week, you’d have a fantastic weigh-in!
I agree with the Rachel – once you brush your teeth AND use mouthwash, you aren’t going to want to eat anything. Glad you owned up to this, because I was really wondering how you could work so darn hard and have such wonky weigh-ins!
No wine? Boo! š At least you choose pretzels instead of Chex mix, my nightly crack snack. Good luck! We’re cheering you on!
I night-time snack too. It is a bad habit that I NEED to kick. We can do it! I’ll do it with you!
That’s it then…those salty water retaining pretzels – why do they have to taste so damn good? Glad you came clean – sometimes that’s half the battle!
You’re forgiven. I agree with Debbi – figure it in to your points, measure them out, and don’t eat any more. It will work, I promise.
I think we all have our dirty little secrets. We have a potty training toddler in our house and have a jar full of potty treats that he gets. I have a really hard time leaving those treats alone!
I’ve noticed that I don’t do as well when I snack on things other than fruits and veggies at night. You can skip the night snacking! You can do it!
I do that too.
And, when I get caught, I am humiliated.
Good luck with your goals.
those nighttime snacks will kill you. It’s the habit more than the food. Throw it in the trash! Clear out the bedside table so it won’t be a temptation.
I always say to myself, your just thirsty, and drink a glass a water. Then I go to sleep and try to forget I am hungry! Good luck with the new goals. And it always feels better when you come clean, right?
You can do it girl! Why are pretzels so addictive??
We ALL have our secrets š
Instead of pretzels maybe keep some grapes on your bedside table? That way you can wean yourself off the behavior with “free” food…
And always brush your teeth and use mouthwash before you crawl into bed….no food tastes good after some Listerine š
Snacks > Meals š
Girl, I had to come clean about that same thing for the Slimmer this Summer Challenge. I haven’t had a snack after 8:00 pm since Early June. It took a while, but I don’t miss it anymore! And trust me, if I can do, anybody can!
Thanks for the honesty. Night time eating is absolutely my worst characteristic. I can stay on plan perfectly all day and then start the serial snacking (sometimes cereal snacking) with repeated trips to the kitchen for small amounts of this and that that add up to 700 calories or more. Great goals for the week. I’m with you on the no night snacking – or maybe eating after 7:30. Good luck with it!!
Great goals. Now off to a great week as well. š
Nothing wrong with bedtime snacking as long as it is scheduled in with your points. Why not save some points FOR a bedtime snack of pretzels. I’m a believer that it doesn’t matter WHEN you eat your food, it’s just a matter of how much and portioning. So just factor the snack in each day and you’ll be fine. š
How about just putting a salt like next to the bed? giggle I kid, I kid. I know how much you like salty things – Is there anything that is crunchy & salty but doesn’t have a lot of calories? Maybe air popped popcorn? I always thought pretzels were low in calories and fat?
You’re strong and I just know you can reach this goal too. Good luck. I be here rooting for you!
My bad (very bad) eating habit is trying to decide whether to end on salty or sweet so I keep a bag of each around!! Good luck with the new “goal”.
Best,
Bonnie
I have the same problem Biz, I can do great on my points all day long and then when night time hits I decide to snack. You’ll do great this week š
Love it! Too funny!